PICNIC23_DOLORES_041_RAD.jpg SHOWN: Raul Aban makes sure his 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter Ariadne Aban stays hydrated in the warm afternoon as he and his fellow Redwood Room employees enjoy a picnic at Dolores Park. For Urban Picnic story, we go to Dolores Park. These pictures were made in San Francisco, CA. on Sunday, May 6, 2007.
(Katy Raddatz/The Chronicle)
**Raul Aban, Ariadne Aban Mandatory credit for the photographer and the San Francisco Chronicle. No sales; mags out.

Photo: Katy Raddatz

PICNIC23_DOLORES_041_RAD.jpg SHOWN: Raul Aban makes sure his...

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PICNIC23_DOLORES_026_RAD.jpg SHOWN: L: Anton Gaskell mans the grill, and R: Joshua Brooks checks supplies. They are at a large picnic that they and their fellow Redwood Room employees are enjoying at Dolores Park. For Urban Picnic story, we go to Dolores Park. These pictures were made in San Francisco, CA. on Sunday, May 6, 2007.
(Katy Raddatz/The Chronicle)
**Anton Gaskell, Joshua Brooks Mandatory credit for the photographer and the San Francisco Chronicle. No sales; mags out.

The excursion: Many of us urbanites are happy to do without sweat-inducing activities like hiking and biking. But there are occasions when even the most avowed city dweller wants to dine en plein air -- especially on the first day of sunshine after a string of especially foggy days.

Luckily for residents in the Castro and Mission districts, the 13.7-acre patch of green that straddles the two neighborhoods is picnic-perfect.

Established by the city of San Francisco in 1905, the next year the park was home to 1,600 families displaced by the 1906 earthquake. It's been an integral part of the neighborhood ever since, hosting events as diverse as the International Workers Day political rally earlier this month to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Annual Easter Pageant, complete with Hunky Jesus and Easter Bonnet contests.

Dolores Park's homegrown celebrations have been so successful that even established arts organizations have taken notice. This summer, both the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Symphony are holding free concerts, and two different organizations are hosting movie nights.

Then, of course, there are those "only in San Francisco" celebrations, such as the motorcycle-riding lesbians who dub themselves Dykes on Bikes and lead the annual Saturday Dyke March. The San Francisco Mime Troupe will open its 2007 season on July 4 with a musical comedy set in Iraq, promising a "play packed with more song and dance than a Bush administration press conference."

But even without special events, I love getting together with friends for an impromptu picnic. I live a few blocks from the park, and on my way, I pick up food at Bi-Rite Market, which is usually packed with other folks doing the same thing.

Although some find Bi-Rite pricey, hot and cold sandwiches (all $6.95) are good values and fill you up. The options run from roasted turkey breast and Havarti cheese, avocado and aioli on an Acme roll, to the pressed Ligurian vegetable number, with grilled eggplant, Laura Chenel goat cheese, piquillo peppers and sun-dried tomatoes on a ciabatta roll.

To round out the meal, the deli case brims with sides and salads, made with organic ingredients when possible. Some of my favorites include the zesty cabbage slaw ($5.99/pound), grilled asparagus ($10.99/pound) and apple-pear spinach salad ($7.99/pound).

On balmy days, it seems as if the same lightbulb popped up in the whole neighborhood's collective head, and the park's grassy areas become a patchwork quilt of picnickers. The scene is more urban jungle than "Room with a View," ranging from group Hula-Hooping sessions to Latin American soccer games. I've even seen three-piece rock bands set up near the tennis courts.

For the best people-watching, plunk down on the grassy knoll at the top of the park (20th and Church streets) -- a perfect place to lollygag and hold court. Stick around long enough, and someone you know is sure to walk by.

Insider tip: From the southwest corner of the park (Church and 20th streets), you can see post-game fireworks from AT&T Park.

Dolores Park is a two-square-block area between 18th and 20th streets, and Church and Dolores streets, that is accessible by Muni lines 33 and the J-Church. Here are some of events scheduled for this summer; go to Web sites for more information.